Question

In the biochemistry laboratory, one patient's serum was found to contain 6.4 mg / mL of sodium in the form of ions. How do you comment on that level if it is known that the physiological limits for sodium ion are from 137 to 145 mmol / L?

Answer 1

Solution:

Sodium ion = Na⁺

The atomic weight of sodium (Na) is 22.989769 g/mol.

Hence,

(6.4 mg Na⁺ / 1 mL) × (1000 mL / 1 L) × (1 mol Na / 22.989769 g Na) = 278.4 mmol/L Na⁺

The physiological limits for sodium ion (Na⁺) are from 137 to 145 mmol/L

Conclusion: The sodium ion (Na⁺) level in the patient's serum exceeds the physiological limits.